I just love my new camera

Pictures Finally!

Big Couple of Weeks!

The last couple of weeks have been super crazy and busy for us. First was Christmas. Since we were still at my parents house we decided to stay until after Christmas was over. We spent Christmas Eve with Jordan's mom, Christmas morning with my parents, and Christmas night with Jordan's dad. Yeah you can imagine how crazy those two day are when you have kids. The kids were over stimulated, over tired and over excited, but we made it through. This year more than ever, I felt the hustling and bustling of shopping and buying presents. I felt like the whole world had forgotten why we celebrate that special day. I want to make sure that my children know and understand that Jesus' birth is more important than receiving gifts!!

I really enjoyed waking up on Christmas morning with my family. It felt like I was a kid again. My dad always makes Christmas really special in our house. Decorating the house is always a special event, and I really miss it now that I am married and not there. It was nice this year to help pick out a tree and decorate with my family. Decorating the tree is a special event and requires egg-nog, Christmas music, and lots of lights. On Christmas morning the den was filled with Christmas music, the smell of breakfast, and wide eyed children. The morning went by to quickly, but I enjoyed every second. I especially love that my grandfather is around to make memories with his great-great grandchildren. Pop is very special to me and I thank God for everyday I have with him. He is such a great man that lived every day to make life better for his wife and children, and now lives everyday to the fullest with the family he has left.

Two days after Christmas (the 27th), Jordan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary!! Wow, who knew we would have two kids in that time frame. We definitely have our arguments, but I love him whole-heartedly and I can't imagine life with any other person. I feel so secure in knowing that he loves me and would never leave me. I love that way he loves me, but I really love the way he loves our kids. Chase and Mariah mean the world to Jordan, and that is a quality that is sometimes hard to find in a man these days. He is my protector, my confidant and my friend. Thank you Jesus for blessing my with the best husband ever.

Saturday night Jordan and I decided that a month was long enough at my parents house (and lets just say they were not devastated). Sunday morning we packed up our stuff and moved back into the house. It took all day for us to clean and repaint after our house was robbed. That night friends and family came over to pray over the house and our family. We once again covered our house by the blood of Jesus and gave it to God for his use. After lots of tears, I felt a weight lifted off of me. God proved to me that stuff is earthly but he protect the most important heavenly gifts, the lives of my children and I. Thank you Jesus for protecting us, and thank you for replacing fear and anxiety with your love and protection.

Now for the last celebration of the week, My Birthday!!! On January 1st I turned the big 27. My first comment to Jordan was, "Oh my, I am almost 30." The kids were so cranky that day, so we stayed home and continued cleaning the house and putting toys away. My parents and brother came over for dinner and brownies, a nice end to a crazy two weeks!!

New Camera!

Just a quick note to say that I have a new camera now, and you can imagine I have taken about a kazillion pictures already. I will be posting new ones this week. Okay, off to do bills!

Hair at last.

Big Upate: Mariah is finally growing hair! Yeah!!! All the beautiful hair she was born with fell out after about a week of living. But finally, my darling munchkin is slowly but surely starting to rapidly grow dark brown peach fuzz on the top of her sweet little head. So maybe by the time she is in college her dumbo ears (from her father) will not be noticable anymore!! She didn't get my green eyes, but I think she is going to have beautiful brown hair. And yes, I am going to grow her hair out from the get go, no bangs (and no "wings" either Abby!!!).

Dog, Dog, Dog, Dog!!!!

Well, the new topic around the Binder household is a dog. Jordan wants to get me a dog so I will feel safe at the house when we return (or this is perfect timing and a great excuse for him to get one for himself). Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, but I don't want one now.

Jordan's argument for a dog is: he wants one.

My argument: I have two kids to clean up poop after, why do I want to add cleaning up dog poop. I don't want my house to smell. I don't want to vacuum my house everyday (in all my spare time!!!!). I don't have time to take care of a dog during the day, I can barely wash the dishes and take a shower! Where is the money for a dog going to come from, vet bills, meds, grooming and, oh, a dogs got to eat!!!! Plus, I am not going to get up at 5 in the morning to walk a dog in the rain. I don't want my one year old carpet to smell like dog pee, and I don't really have time to train a dog. And lastly, I don't want a dog in the house all day, and I don't think it is fair for a dog to be stuck in the garage or outside all the time.

Well, now that I am done venting, I feel better. I am still considering it, but Jordan said that it is up to me. He doesn't want to get one unless I am okay with it, but the begging will probably stick around. I told Jordan that this dog will be his responsibility because I don't have time to devote to the dog. If I give in, I don't really want a German Shepherd because we have lots of kids going in an out of our house a lot. German Shepherds are very protective an territorial. By the way, Jordan is getting Chase to walk around the house all day asking for a dog!!! Cute, Jordan, cute. Feel free to comment on your opinions!

Christmas Cards!

As you know, I am quite busy with the kids and staying in another house, and I have forgotten all about sending out Christmas cards. I still may try to get them out, but as time gets closer to Christmas, what is the point. So I am wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a blessed start to the new year. So don't anyone think I left them out and didn't send you a card and be mad at me!!!!!!

Vacation at Grammys!

Staying somewhere else is fun for a while, but is hard on kids day to day routines. Mariah is doing fine, but Chase has gotten back into his temper tantrum routine, which you all know I hate and will not stand for. The problem is that it is easier to let your child scream it out in your own home, and not so much with over loving grandparents nearby!!Chase loves his GaMama and his GanDaddy lots, but desires their constant attention. It has been frustrating, but I am so thankful that we have a safe place to stay, and not to mention mom owns every child and baby necessity that I do so we didn't have to bring much with us. Chase and Mariah have also enjoyed spending quality time with Pop (my grandfather) and Uncle Dave (my brother). Pop especially is great at seeing my frustration with the kids and helping out with one or both of them. I am so thankful that I still have at least one grandparent left. Please pray for me as I am dealing with a lot of fear and anxiety about living in our house again, and pray that Jordan can be put on days at work.